Lovingly constructed over a period of several years with mostly recycled materials and help from friends, the HemLoft is truly one of the most perfect treehouse designs we have seen over the years, and we have seen a lot of tree houses. After building a model to test its strength, Joel and his architect friends made the egg-shaped mini-home a little broader in order to increase the interior space. Nifty pop-up windows provide light and ventilation.

Joel kept this project a secret for three years, certain that Canadian officials wouldn’t be thrilled to learn that he was essentially squatting on land that borders a very wealthy neighborhood, but he eventually contacted Dwell Magazine, which was the first publication to break the story. The HemLoft has its own website now, which we urge you to visit, because there’s even more to this heartwarming tale – including love! Plus, Joel is looking for advice. What should he do next?